Theatre Arts Diploma

Prospective Students
Admission has been suspended for this program for the Fall 2013 semester.
If you have submitted an application to this program, the Admissions & Recruitment Office will contact you directly by mail to provide further information on your application.
We thank you for considering Mount Royal University and we hope to be able to continue assisting you in your academic pursuits.
Current Students
Students who are currently enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to complete their program. These students will receive direct communication from their faculty departments and/or Enrolment Services.
Students pursuing other programs at Mount Royal University will not be affected.

Make the world your stage by studying with those who share your passion in southern Alberta’s only conservatory-style theatre program. Mount Royal’s two-year Theatre Arts Diploma provides rigorous training in small groups, fostering a passionate community of students who go on to careers in either performance or in technical.

In the spotlight
The Performance stream focuses on the skills you’ll need as an actor. In addition to acting classes, you will also study movement, voice, stage fighting and film performance. The specially designed curriculum also includes participation in Mount Royal’s theatre season, which includes:

mainstage public performances with Theatre MRU
touring theatre
Theatre for Young Audiences

Behind the scenes
The Technical Production stream gives you hands-on experience behind the scenes for a variety of high-profile productions. In our fly theatre, black-box theatre and new lighting lab, you will train on industry-specific, state-of-the-art equipment, such as:

automated rigging system
colour scrollers
digital audio
computer lighting
automated moving lights

Learning from the pros
In addition to working with faculty members who are active in the professional theatre community, students also attend local live theatre productions every week and have the opportunity to meet with writers, actors, directors and technicians.

Experience wanted
In the Performance stream, master classes, residencies and workshops with professionals allow you to hone your acting skills, including:

movement
voice for the actor
stage fighting
production
singing

Students in the Technical stream work on touring and stage productions, getting hands-on experience with:

sound and lighting
drafting and scene painting
costumes and props
set construction and rigging

Career choices
Theatre Arts graduates are accomplished professionals who work in theatre, film and television across Canada. Spurred on by the collaborative spirit of the program, many graduates also form their own small theatre companies.

Your job title could be:

Actor: film, television, stage and commercial
Technician: stage manager, lighting technician, scenic carpenter, prop builder or costumer.

Future options
Many graduates go on to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts. A large number of Mount Royal courses are transferable to the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge and University of Victoria. Alternatively, graduates may choose to audition for the National Theatre School of Canada, the Banff Centre or other schools in Canada or abroad.